Back in September, Chris and I had the opportunity to photograph the Music City Food and Wine Festival, an INCREDIBLE food and wine festival put on by Caleb and Nathan Followill of Kings of Leon, world renowned chef Jonathan Waxman, Austin-based C3 Presents — producer of Austin FOOD & WINE Festival, Austin City Limits Music Festival, and Lollapalooza — and Vector Management! It was the first year for the festival in Nashville, and I have to say it was a hit! You know we love our local Nashville restaurants, and it was so great to see so many of them represented in one place, and to hear from the amazing chefs behind them. Plus some more nationally and internationally known chefs! Amazing food, incredible wine, and some of the most gorgeous weather of all time (I’m dying for some warm weather after looking at these images again!)…it couldn’t have been a better weekend! Here’s some of the highlights from the day, and you can read more about 2013’s festival, see more images, and get info for 2014 (we can’t wait!) on the Music City Eats website!
Tasting tents were set up in the middle of the green, with a giant stage on each end for cooking demonstrations!
Chef Jonathan Waxman cooking up some deliciousness
Treats from The Catbird Seat
Who knew Trisha Yearwood also had a cookbook out?! She’s awesome.
Giada and Michael Symon!
The legendary DJ Mel!
Chef Tim Love might have had one of the most popular demonstrations of the day, which he kicked off by distributing margaritas to the crowd, then getting some volunteers for a tequila shot! Too funny.
At the end of day one, the party moved a few blocks downtown to Walk of Fame Park for Harvest Night.
Jeni’s Ice Cream!! Yummmm
Harvest Night was followed by Petty Fest, which was incredible! So much talent in Nashville!
Sometimes Norah Jones shows up
Or Joy Williams (one of our favorites! Chris was so excited haha) with Jessie Baylin
Charles Kelley and Trisha Yearwood with an amazing duet!
And a round of “Free Fallin'” with everyone to close out the evening, led by Kings of Leon!
Day Two kicked off with a little restorative, for those who might have partied a little hard the day before!
Iron Chef winner Chef Edward Lee
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken! I can’t believe I hadn’t had hot chicken prior to the festival. So. good!!! (In fact, excuse me a minute, I think it’s lunchtime… 😉 )
Chef Michael Symon with some fans
Chef Donald Link cooking up some Cajun cuisine
We had the MOST gorgeous light at the end of day two! Couldn’t resist including a few pictures from hanging out with the ridiculously awesome C3 staff!
It’s out of focus but I love it! Our fearless leader and head festival photographer, Cambria! (Who is insanely multi-talented. You should definitely check out her website Cambria Handmade!)
Many many thanks for the amazing team at C3 for letting us be a part of such an amazing festival! We had SO much fun, and can’t wait for 2014!
Hope everyone is having a great week!
THESE ARE ALL SO AMAZING!!! You guys totally ROCKED this!!!!!